Curves vs Retro Fitness Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Curves vs Retro Fitness including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Curves Franchise
Retro Fitness Franchise
Investment $115,600 - $243,200$939,250 - $1,600,500
Franchise Fee $39,900$69,000
Royalty Fee 5%5%
Advertising Fee -2%
Year Founded 19922002
Year Franchised 19952006
Term Of Agreement 5 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 5 years10 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Curves Franchise
Retro Fitness Franchise
Experience
  • Financially stable
    		• Net worth requirement: $1M+ Cash liquidity requirement: $200K Business Experience: * General business experience

    Financing Options
     
    Curves Franchise
    Retro Fitness Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/Yes
    Equipment No/NoNo/Yes
    Inventory No/NoNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/Yes
    Payroll No/NoNo/Yes

    Training & Support
     
    Curves Franchise
    Retro Fitness Franchise
    Training At regional meetings (full day), convention (3 days), local events (1 day) On-The-Job Training: 50 hours Classroom Training: 20 hours
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluationsMeetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertisingAd Templates Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations 50% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (70% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		* 25% of all franchisees own more than one unit * Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 10 - 20 * Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (35% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Expansion Plans
     
    Curves Franchise
    Retro Fitness Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    About Curves

    At the age of 20, pre-med student Gary Heavin had taken over a failing fitness center in Houston, turning the business around and, within five years, opened six more centers. After 10 years and 17 centers, Heavin's business went under. Not wanting to give up, Heavin took lessons from the strengths and weaknesses of his first chain and decided to open a second. In 1992, Heavin opened Curves for Women, a women-only fitness center, in Harlingen, Texas. The company began franchising in 1995.

    "franchiserankingscom"
    #32 on Franchise Rankings.com

    About Retro Fitness

    Eric Casaburi began Retro Fitness with a simple philosophy, "More fitness, Less money, by providing an exciting and inviting environment for exercising, fitting to any fitness enthusiast budget". We are actively looking for qualified entrepreneurs with the motivation and determination to build a successful business.
    A qualified Retro Fitness Franchise candidate appreciates and understands excellent customer service, enjoys interacting with the general public, has a general understanding of management/budgets, has significant financial resources, and is comfortable following established business parameters. Candidates fitting these criteria are invited to take the next step in finding out if a Retro Fitness Franchise is the business opportunity for you by completing our online application. As a Retro Fitness Franchisee you will have the opportunity to reap the rewards that are produced through consistent application of our business practices that benefit our thousands of members everyday. It's an awesome time for Retro Fitness, enjoying the benefits of keeping people healthy and fit while earning a living.
     PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
    A sample of some of the products and services you may offer as a Retro fitness Franchisee include:
     * Full Service Fitness Center including: 50+ pieces of various Cardiovascular equipment. Various CircuitTraining/Strength Training equipment and Free Weights.
     * RetroBlends Juice Bar
     * Personal Training Services
     * Tanning
     * Retro Cardio Movie Theatre
    Veteran Incentives  10% off franchise fee

    "Entrepreneur
    #474 in Franchise 500 for 2020.